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SSA

RIN: 0960-AH51

Publication ID: Fall 2016

Title: Revisions to Rules Regarding the Evaluation of Medical Evidence
Abstract: We are proposing several revisions to our medical evidence rules. The proposals include redefining several key terms related to evidence, revising our list of acceptable medical sources (AMS), revising how we consider and articulate our consideration of medical opinions and prior administrative medical findings, revising who can be a medical consultant (MC) and psychological consultant (PC), revising our rules about treating sources, and reorganizing our evidence regulations for ease of use. These proposed revisions would conform our rules with the requirements of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA), reflect changes in the national healthcare workforce and in the manner that individuals receive primary medical care, simplify and reorganize our rules to make them easier to understand and apply, allow us to continue to make accurate and consistent decisions, and emphasize the need for objective medical evidence in disability and blindness claims.
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.1502 20 CFR 404.1512 20 CFR 404.1520b 20 CFR 404.1521 to 404.1523 20 CFR 404.1526 and 404.1527 20 CFR 404.1530 20 CFR 404.1546 20 CFR 416.902 20 CFR 416.912 20 CFR 416.920b 20 CFR 416.921 to 416.923 20 CFR 416.926 and 416.927 20 CFR 416.930 20 CFR 416.946
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 405(a) 42 U.S.C. 423(d)(5)(A) 42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5) 42 U.S.C. 1010(a) 42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(3)(H)(i) 42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(3)(H)(i) Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, section 832

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need:

These revisions would simplify and reorganize our rules to make them easier to understand and apply, allow us to make more accurate and consistent decisions, and emphasize the need for objective medical evidence in disability and blindness claims under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Administrative--not required by statute or court order.

Alternatives:

Undetermined at this time.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Undetermined at this time.

Risks:

Undetermined at this time.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	09/09/2016	81 FR 62559
NPRM Comment Period End	11/08/2016
Final Action	01/00/2017

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: William P. Gibson Social Insurance Specialist, Regulations Writer Social Security Administration Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 966-9039 Email: william.gibson@ssa.gov Joshua Silverman Technical Expert Social Security Administration Office of Disability Policy, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 594-2128 Email: joshua.silverman@ssa.gov Cheryl Williams Office Director Social Security Administration Office of Disability Policy, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401 Phone:410 966-4163 Email: cheryl.a.williams@ssa.gov